Little Chapel cannot cope

As a result, the building cannot be seen properly because of the crowds, access for most is difficult and impossible for many. The historical and fragile environment is being damaged and the volume of visitors is causing wildlife to be scared away.

The Little Chapel Foundation have submitted a planning application to redress this situation but the wider problem of volume of visitors needs to be addressed by the States as well as tour operators, coach companies and taxi companies to ensure that a more orderly system is introduced to improve the experience for everyone and reduce the impact on this important heritage site. We would be happy to meet all interested parties to try and find a workable solution as leaving things as they are is not an option.

Traffic Control is not the responsibility of the Foundation and must be resolved urgently by the States and the Douzaine. Large numbers of coaches, often 4 but on occasions up to 12, are far too many and causing serious congestion on the main road as well as impacting on the site itself.

The Foundation’s proposals are not ‘over commercialism’ but an attempt to dissipate the numbers, meet health and safety obligations and introduce measures to improve biodiversity. and most importantly to make sure that the needs of anyone with disabilities is accommodated.

n A new entrance off the car park will stop the dangerous congestion on the access road for the benefit of all.

n The main pathway from the entrance will split to provide disabled access to the upper Chapel for the first time.It will be constructed of a slip-resistant, man-made material which looks like wood but without maintenance issues and blending into the landscape.

n The uneven and dangerous steps at the front of the Chapel are to be re-configured to meet current regulations but will have china mosaic decorated risers, as at present, and new handrails.

n The restoration of the Chapel mosaics will continue as well as tackling the problem of instability of the Grotto where there are still large holes to be investigated and repaired. The new curved shallow stepped area will assist the necessary structural support as well as giving an excellent photographic opportunity.

n Areas will be widened to accommodate the numbers of visitors in a sensitive way retaining historical features and using re-cycled materials.

n Seating and areas of reflection around the repositioned Stations of the Cross will give a welcome opportunity to relax on the site.

n The 2 proposed pergola-type structures will provide shelter in bad weather. The Interpretation Centre / Deodat’s Castle, is merely placing a roof on what is there already and amalgamating interpretation boards from around the site. The lychgate style entrance is a focal point with an open area behind with a cedar shingle roof to be blend into the landscape.

n The boundaries of the site are not to be ‘fenced off’ but will have new hedges of predominantly native trees to help with problems of pollution and to provide new habitats for wildlife. Biodiversity will be dramatically improved by a 2 metre wide green corridor at the top of the site alongside the Blanchelande College boundary which will provide a safe and sheltered area for wildlife, away from the crowds.

n The many mature trees will be enhanced by regeneration with new understorey planting and many bulbs for naturalisation. It will be a pretty and pleasant area to visit and enjoy the beautiful country environment as a fit setting for the Chapel. There has been no tree management for many years and this necessary and expensive work needs to be done as soon as possible to avoid health and safety issues. We hope that the gardens will become a destination in their own right with the added interest of the ’China Gardens’ which will link with the Chapel mosaics and the historical Wedgwood link from the 1970s.

n Most urgently, the problems of huge volumes of water from the site above which caused damage to the Chapel originally need to be addressed.

Meeting the needs of tourism whilst maintaining the tranquility of the site is a challenge and assistance from the tourist operators would be appreciated to find a sensible arrangement to ensure that visitors are spread around the site and have a longer time to enjoy the setting rather than be herded on whistle-stop tours without being able to savour what Guernsey is really about.

It should be remembered that The Little Chapel Foundation was formed to enable the Chapel to be saved and had they not done so it would no longer exist. Major structural supports have been incorporated as well as new lighting in a meticulous way to protect this iconic building for future generations. The proposed work to the grounds will be carried out under the control of the same people in a similar, orderly and sensitive way with the benefit of archived records from Brother Deodat’s diaries to follow the thought process of his creation.

The proposed works will be phased to ensure continual access to the Chapel and reviewed regularly it progresses.

The enhancement of this wonderful building and its setting for the benefit of all will continue to be at the forefront of all decisions.

Ann Wragg,

Trustee, The Little Chapel Foundation